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CAT RESOURCES

Quitting Job To Prepare For CAT

With about 2,00,000 students appearing for the CAT exam every year, making it into the top percentile can be a challenging endeavor for any MBA aspirant. Quitting jobs is a very common practice among students so that they can dedicate an entire year in preparing for the entrance exam.

That said, whether or not one should quit their job for an MBA entrance exam isn’t a common question you will hear from GMAT exam takers living in other countries. However, in India it is a common decision that candidates take. Here is why you too, should be considering it.

CAT is among the Most Crucial Entrance Exams in the Country

This is probably the single most critical entrance exam for MBA colleges that you will take in India, while there are alternatives such as JMET, MH-CET, CMAT, SNAP and XAT, if you wish to get into a top B-school such as one of the IIMs, you will need to perform well in your CAT exams.

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Precedents in CAT and Other Entrance Exams

It is not uncommon for you to hear of seniors quitting their jobs for CAT as well as other competitive entrance tests such as IAS and Civil Services. Many of these candidates may have cracked their exams in the second or third attempt. Considering the hard work that goes into making your cut-off for your CAT, it is a natural decision many people make when they are sure of their desire to pursue an MBA.

Work Pressure in Corporate India

Even if you are confident that you may be able to manage work along with preparing for your CAT exam, the work pressure and the lack of work-life balance in corporate India may not be the ideal form of distraction you need at a critical juncture in your academic career. Speak with your employers to assess if they are willing to be more flexible about your assignments and work schedule during the year you are studying for the CAT. Sometimes they do accommodate.

That said, your decision to quit for a whole year or even more for your CAT preparations come with its own set of repercussions. Provided you score high, present a strong application and get into a good B-school, putting a break in your career is a decision you need to assess comprehensively.